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Montreal Canadiens choose winger Mike McCarron with 25th overall pick

Michael McCarron, a winger, stands with officials from the Montreal Canadiens sweater after being chosen 25th overall in the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Sunday, June 30, 2013, in Newark, N.J. Photo: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

NEWARK, N.J. — The Montreal Canadiens added some muscle by selecting right-winger Mike McCarron with their first choice in the NHL draft.

McCarron is listed at six-foot-five, 228 pounds and would provide the Habs with much-needed size up front.

The Michigan native, selected 25th overall, has been compared to Milan Lucic, the Boston Bruins’ forward who has given the Habs headaches in recent years.

McCarron is thought to be a potential third-liner with some scoring upside. He played with the U.S. National Team Development Program, with whom he scored 11 goals and had 18 assists in 49 games last season.

His Canadian Hockey League rights belong to the London Knights, but it’s possible McCarron could go the college route. He signed a letter of intent with the Western Michigan Broncos, who are headed by former NHL coach Andy Murray.

The Canadiens had three more picks in the second round.

With their 34th overall choice, the Habs picked centre Jacob de la Rose. He is listed at 6-2, 176 pounds and had six goals and six assists in 38 games for Leksand in the Swedish Division 2 league.

Two picks later, the Canadiens selected the first goalie of the draft, Zachary Fucale of the Halifax Mooseheads. The Quebec native posted a 2.35 goals against average in 55 games last year as he guided the Mooseheads to the Memorial Cup.

With the 55th overall pick, the team grabbed Artturi Lehkonen, who played last year in the Finnish Elite League. The five-foot-nine, 163 pound left-winger had 14 goals and 16 assists in 45 games.